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NFL Picks

Pick Seahawks -5.5 vs. Chargers in Week 2 of Preseason

For the first time in Pete Carroll’s career, the Seahawks lost in Week 1 of the preseason. This week they head home to welcome in the Chargers, and the NFL Odds have the Seahawks as huge -5 ½ favorites in this game, with a total of 38 ½.

QB Playing Time
Russell Wilson and Philip Rivers didn’t get much playing time in Week 1 of the preseason, and if trends from last season can tell us anything, Rivers might not play much more than he did in Week 1.

Philip Rivers was perfect for the brief time he was in the game last week, going 4/4 with 61 yards passing. However even after only playing a handful of snaps in Week 1, Rivers might not be in the game long in Week 2 either. Last season Rivers didn’t even play the entire first quarter. No word has been released one how much he is set to play this week, however I doubt it will be more than Wilson.

Last season the Seahawks dominated the Broncos in preseason Week 2, which ended up being a premonition to what would happen about 23 weeks later in the Super Bowl. In that huge preseason blowout, Wilson played the entire first half. This was after winning in Week 1 of the preseason, so after a loss last week to the Broncos the Seahawks might be motivated to win this game.

I would not be surprised to see Wilson play most of the first half, and if that’s the case, we might see the other starters playing solid snaps. However for San Diego Rivers and the rest of the starters likely will be saving their best for Week 3 like so many teams do.

The Sharp Pick
Despite losing last week to the Broncos and John Fox, Carroll is still 11-6 SU in his preseason career. He has always approached the preseason seriously since he broke into the league after his tenure in Southern California, and after losing last week it seems as if he might play to win here, while covering the 5.5 points posted on the NFL odds boards.

The key will be how long Wilson and the defensive starters are in the game. As I mentioned above, Wilson might be getting substantial playing time for Week 2 of the preseason. So for the defense, watch the news surrounding the secondary as the week goes on.

After the starters, there are a lot of positions seemingly up for grabs in the Seahawks’ secondary. Carroll could approach this several ways in Week 2, and it could have an affect on this game. I think he will at least play his defensive starters through the first quarter, and maybe more than that. For the secondary after the starters come out, the Hawks will still probably rotate guys in and out quickly to get a look at everyone.

If the Hawks do go for this game, I think Mike McCoy and the Chargers will let them take it. The first roster cuts don’t happen until after Week 3 of the preseason, but teams will have to use Week 3 as the dress rehearsal, so this may be the last game to get an extended look at some of the fringe roster guys. I am laying the points.